Blue & You seeks grant applications
Organizations across Arkansas are eligible for a grant of up to $200,000 to fund programs addressing the health and well-being of Arkansas mothers and their children, according to a news release.
The Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas is accepting letters of intent online until Friday at blueandyoufoundationarkansas.org/funding-opportunities/maternal-and-pediatric.
“It’s important to remove the barriers to care for moms before, during and after pregnancy such as access to a nearby provider, and also to provide services that make families stronger such as home visiting programs, education and support,” said Blue & You Foundation President Rebecca Pittillo. “Arkansas has one of the highest maternal death rates in the nation. We want to support healthy moms and help children thrive from the beginning.”
Grants should focus on providing at least one of the following:
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Child development opportunities;
Education and outreach;
Improvement in maternal mortality;
Postpartum care support;
Prenatal and pediatric healthcare;
Resources for stronger families;
Solutions to adverse childhood experiences;
Solutions to maternal and infant health disparities.
Applicants should be a 501(c)3 charitable organization; a public school, college or university; or a city, county or state governmental agency.
Applicants will be notified by email on April 26 if their letter of intent is approved and the application process is open to the organization. Award notifications will be emailed on Aug. 13.
Since 2001, the Blue & You Foundation has awarded more than $63 million in grants to fund nearly 3,000 projects designed to improve the health of Arkansans.
VA sets virtual claims clinic April 25
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. April 25. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. April 24, according to a news release.
Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. VA disability compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose service made an existing condition worse, according to the release.
The staff will be available to answer questions about existing VA benefits claims and how to file a new one.
The main office of the Little Rock VA Regional Office is located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive in North Little Rock and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Veteran Assist Phone Line, (501) 370-3829, is staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, visit http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
Free youth activities set
Troas Garden Group Youth Initiative will host several events in April. Admission is free for youth, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
The Rev. David Woolfolk is the program coordinator of TGYI, which is an organization that focuses on mentoring and developing local youth ages 12 to 17.
Dates and activities include:
April 13 — Swimming; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Location: Pine Bluff Aquatics Center, 400 E. 11th Ave. Participants should bring a swimsuit.
April 20 — Fishing; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 629 Jaycee Road. Fishing poles will be furnished.
April 27 — Animals; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Location: Troas Garden (The address will be provided at a later date.) The focus is getting familiar with animals.
Lunch will be provided each day. Participants must make arrangements to be dropped off and picked up at the appointed times and locations.
For details, sponsorship or to register a child, visit https://troasgardenyouthinitiative.my.canva.site/troas-garden-youth-initiative-website or contact the Rev. David Woolfolk at (870) 872-1261 or troasgardenyouthinitiative@gmail.com.
Century Farm applications due May 31
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2024 Arkansas Century Farm Program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. The program is voluntary and there is no cost to apply.
To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria:
The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2024. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption.
The farm must be at least 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.
Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established.
Applications are available at agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/arkansas-century-farm-program/. Applications must be received via email at beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov or postmarked on or before May 31 to be eligible for designation as a 2024 inductee. Details: Beth Moore at (501) 539-4027.